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LOT 230
Panel Scene Engraved 19th Century Stock Reservoir Tip-Up Barrel Sporting Air Gun by Joseph Schembor of Vienna, Austria - NSN, 10.5 mm , 34 inch round bbl., brown/casehardened/bright finish, metal/hardwood stock. “Joseph Schembor” marked on top of the barrel flat at the breech, “IN WIEN” marked on the lock. Joseph Schembor (1777-1851) of Vienna,
Austria is listed as an active “wind” gun maker circa 1808-1848, and was known to have also made some
examples of Girardoni (sometimes spelled “Girandoni”) system repeating air guns similar to what was used on the Lewis and Clark expedition and notably used by Austrian martial sharpshooters from 1787-1815. “Wind guns” had several advantages over conventional firearms including that they were quieter, smokeless, quicker to reload, and relatively unaffected by rain. They also required less cleaning since they did not require corrosive black powder. This attractive tip-up barrel example
is chambered in approximately .42 caliber/10.5 mm and features a flat top round barrel with a
smooth bore, German silver bead front sight, hardwood stock, an iron stock reservoir, and features
high quality attractive engraving including a game scene on the left sideplate, floral and border
engraving on the brass frame, lock and hammer with a dragon head, and a martial scene on the trigger guard. The breech loading tip-up barrel
has a release on bottom ahead of the trigger guard. “1557” and a small circled Austrian double headed eagle symbol marked on the face of
the stock reservoir locking ring (possibly an Austrian military/Girardoni stock reservoir?). Circular brass collection tag marked “R.D. BEEMAN/PRIVATE/
COLLECTION/2907” hanging from the trigger guard.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 40% original brown finish, strongest in the protected areas, with smooth gray patina on the balance and some scattered patches of light surface
corrosion on the barrel, strong patterns of case colors visible in protected areas of the lock with smooth gray and brown patina on the balance of the casehardened surfaces, attractive golden aged patina on the brass, a mix of an old finish and gray/brown patinas on the stock reservoir, and absolutely sharp engraving and markings. The hardwood stock is fine with defined edges, scattered light scratches and dents, and defined checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Dr. Robert D. Beeman Collection.
of London - NSN, 9.5 mm , 29 1/4 inch part octagon
bbl., blue/bright finish, metal stock. “E.BOND, 45, CORN HILL LONDON” marked on the top flat at the breech.
Edward James Bond is listed as active under this name at 45 Cornhill between 1816-1825 during the time this air rifle was made, and would be active as “Edward & William Bond” circa 1826-1847. Air guns of this style were used primarily for
hunting, with this high quality engraved example being of the type used by an individual with wealth and status. “Wind guns” had several advantages over conventional firearms including that they were quieter, smokeless, quicker to reload, and
relatively unaffected by rain. They also required less cleaning since they did not require corrosive black powder. This air rifle is chambered in approximately .38 caliber/9.5
mmm and features an octagon barrel with shallow fine-groove rifling, German silver bead front sight and fixed notch rear sight, a rotating faucet breech that loads from the top, and a leather wrapped iron stock
air reservoir. Features high quality engraving consisting of line and floral borders surrounding game scenes containing dogs and game birds on the top of the action and on both sideplates, floral and border engraving on the hammer, trigger guard and sides of the faucet breech, and border engraving on the breech.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 50% original blue finish on the barrel with smooth gray and brown patina on the balance, the action remains mostly bright, with sharp markings and engraving overall. The leather wrapping on the stock is good with an applied protective outer coating, scattered age related cracking and a few small areas absent. Mechanically fine.
Provenance: The Dr. Robert D. Beeman Collection.
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
225
Estimate: 9,000 - 15,000
LOT 231
Game Panel Scene Engraved Early 19th Century Stock Reservoir Air Rifle by Edward James Bond